Do you have a special object that
evokes special memories of a special person or a wonderful time in your life?
I love stories. If I didn’t love
tell stories I wouldn't be a blogger.
Most often the story behind the object
is more valuable to me than the object itself.
My grandparents were immigrants living
in Brooklyn N.Y, he was a baker she a stay at home mother of five. The 1920’s
were not a very prosperous time for them, but they got by. There were not many
luxuries in their home; probably the most valuable of their possessions was her
wedding ring/engagement set and yet it was very modest by any means.
One day she lost her engagement ring.
Popa went to the local jeweler and had
him make a ring for Nana. I can imagine that the $25.00 he paid for it was a
lot of money back then. Nana loved the sentiment, she loved the ring, it was
sweet and beautiful with two hearts back to back but it wasn't her ring.
Did you ever dig in the cushions of
the couch of change? My Dad did one day when he was about 12 and came up with
something a bit more valuable than a few pennies he was looking for; he found my
Nana’s engagement ring.
She slipped that engagement back in
its place on her finger and the heart ring on another finger and wore them
both. She in fact wore the engagement ring until her death at 95 but the
heart ring had a different fate.
Many older folks give treasured items
to their loved in order to see them enjoy them as opposed to leaving them in a
will. She was a wonderful Grandmother who lived with us and was a
tremendous part of my life.
Years later Nana gave that heart ring to Daddy and
he immediately passed it to me. I
received that ring 38 years ago and have worn it every day. Sadly, Popa died
when I was six. I know Nana and Daddy saw my joy when I was given that ring.
Now that they've all passed I feel like I wear their hearts all the time
glistening on my finger.
There’s a great place I know about to
get a ring or watch or piece of art to start a new memory by adding a new
treasure to your family. There are some wonderful items there. Have you ever
visited Invaluable Auctions? Why not visit
their website and check out their great selection of rings.
Do you have a special piece of jewelry
with that has a story worth telling? I'd love to hear it!
Many things in my home have so much sentiment attached, because they once belonged to someone special. I cherish my Mom's wedding ring, as well as my husband's grandmother's ring.
ReplyDeleteI think those types of those things are extra special because they are sort of symbols of our beginnings- where we came from!
DeleteWhat a sweet story about your Nana's ring, Jen. I'm glad the "original" one was found! How neat it was given to you down the line. This is terrible, but I'm not very sentimental. My mom didn't wear much jewelry so she didn't pass anything done to us (and I think she and my dad both were buried with wearing their wedding rings). Hubby has a couple of rings and other pieces of jewelry from his parents. I'm not sure what he will eventually do with them.
ReplyDeletebetty
I think my Aunt Marie ended up with that ring after she passed, she's her youngest daughter. My absolute favorite thing of Nana's is the one thing I took when she passed and that was her button box. As a child we played for hours and hours in that box, it had tons of colorful buttons in a green tin that I think had some sort of Irish biscuits in in originally.
DeleteI lost my engagement and wedding rings. I replaced them with cheap silver stuff that I knew I would lose eventually. I like the silver stuff better.
ReplyDeleteI did save my son's baby hair. I like that a lot.
Silver is lovely isn't it? As I've gotten older I've grown an appreciation for it. I have my kids hair too, not big on teeth saving but hair I'm with ya Susie.
DeleteI wear my MIL's thin gold band that we found in her jewelry box after she died. I will have to tell the story on my blog sometime soon. I love this story Jen. And the ring is beautiful. I lost the diamond from my engagement ring just about 3 weeks before Richard died. I am heartsick and looked everywhere. The kids wanted me to just take it to the jeweler and get it replaced. But it wouldn't be the same.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that you can't find it Paula, what terrible thing at such a sad time. I am so sorry. And I know what you mean about another diamond not being the same.
DeleteWho knows maybe one day you'll find it somewhere somehow. Once I lost and earing it was one of a pair from my first mothers day. I like you was heartbroken. About six months later my Nana found it in the bottom of her dishwasher!
We Catholics always said a little prayer to St Anthony when we lose something,
St. Anthony, please come around. Something's been lost and can't be found. Might help!!
First, let me just say that it's great to see you back in the blogging world, Jen. And that is a beautiful ring. I have a book, a small paperback of poems from Romania. You know, I can't even remember how it arrived in my possession, but it may have been from my aunt, who helped raise me. I love that little old book for what's inside, for the place of its origin.
ReplyDeleteYour story is so heart-warming.
Silvia, Your book sounds like a treasure. Knowing you and how you love your home country, its history, literature and your family it is no wonder how very special this book is to you.
DeleteWhat a beautiful, sweet story. I'm so glad you have those wonderful memories along with the ring.
ReplyDeleteI'm never short on family stories Marcy. Glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteAww...this is a beautiful story. I'm all mush over here. I own two sentimental objects passed down from my grandmother. One is wooden standing radio & the other are two irons that had to be heated up in the stove before using them. Antiques I will never sell.
ReplyDeleteHey I have a cast iron stove if you ever get the urge to iron, come on over and I'll fix you up!! he he :) I know what you mean about keeping those treasures Sonya, those things need to be given to other family who understand where they came from, appreciate their history, their story.
DeleteWonderful story and very precious, beautiful ring! I had a few antique inherited rings that were stolen in our home invasion. UGH. Breaks my heart to think of it. But I do have a little one dollar bill my step dad made into a shirt. I treasure that. It reminds me of when he would make me rings with a $20 bill as a child. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. Pretty sure I spent those! Lol.
ReplyDeleteWhat horrible things people do Angelia. I can't believe they took your precious ring! So sad and so sorry to hear that. Sounds like your dad was a pretty cool guy, making money ring, neat trick!
DeleteHi Jen - what a lovely story ... and to have those precious memories of your grandparents - even if you didn't know Popa that well. I'm so pleased you're treasuring them now. In South Africa I had some jewellery stolen - one was a present from my father ... something unique we'd chosen together ... it'll have been melted down ... but I can recreate and at some stage I will ...
ReplyDeleteSo pleased for you .. cheers Hilary
I think that's nice that you've decided to recreate the piece that you and your father had chosen together. Although it isn't the exact one that was stolen.; I can see it would be a sort of tribute after a time and gain a whole different and unique meaning.
DeleteSuch a sweet story! I have my grandmother's rings. I actually wore them on my wedding day on and moved them to the other hand when it was time.
ReplyDelete